Surf

Early bushfire season in parts of NSW

Ben Domensino, 21 August 2019

Some areas in NSW have started their bushfire season early this year in response to unusually warm and dry weather.

The Rural Fire Service announced earlier this month that 12 Local Government Areas would commence their Bushfire Danger Period on August 1st. This is two months before the statutory start date on October 1st.

Fires are still allowed at times during the Bushfire Danger Period, although a fire permit is required for some burning activities.

A number of large and fast-moving fires burned across NSW during the first fortnight of autumn, fanned by a series of cold fronts that caused dry and blustery winds across the state. Some of these fires destroyed homes and buildings.

These fires, combined with the recent dry weather, prompted the Rural Fire Service to kick the bushfire season off in another nine Local Government Areas on Saturday, August 17th.